Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,338 – 6,384

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
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Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1337

Location

Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الصاخور
Between three and 15 civilians were reported killed and ten more injured in airstrikes on the Al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several reports said that barrel bombs had been dropped on the neighbourhood – a weapon known to be used by the Syrian regime. HNN named two victims.…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1336

Location

Ard Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
ارض الحمرا
Between five and 25 civilians died and up to another 25 were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Ard Hamra neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. HNN named two of the victims, and added that six others were unidentified. All4Syria reported the highest casualty count with 25 saying: “The largest number of victims…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1335

Location

Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المشهد
Between six and eight civilians including five children and one woman were reportedly killed in an airstrike in the Al Mashhad neighbourhood in Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Most sources seven civilians died in the attack. The Syrian Network for Human Rights elaborated on the location…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

24 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1334

Location

Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي بستان القصر
Between seven and 25 civilians were reportedly killed and up to 75 more injured in airstrikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia. The Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
24 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1332

Location

Al Mohaissen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الموحسن
Between three and five civilians including two children died up to seven more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Mohaissen town, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Among sources blaming Russia were the Shaam News Network, who put…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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Incident Date

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1333

Location

Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
الرستن‬
Between four and 14 civilians including two or three children died and dozens more non-combatants were wounded in airstrikes on Al Rastan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to LCCSY, “four civilians including two children were martyred after…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
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